Looking for a fun way to end National Poetry Month? Why not try your hand at some blackout poetry? It’s really easy to do, and all you need is an old book you don’t want to read anymore, or old newspaper pages–not library books or newspapers, please–and a black permanent marker.

The creative process can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Use your marker to draw an outline around the word(s) you would like to use in your poem, and then black out the rest.

Have you ever visited Google.com and noticed that there is some artwork there in place of the word “Google”? That’s a “Google Doodle” and usually celebrates a famous person’s birthday, a particular event or a cultural icon. Famous people have included Harriet Tubman, Leon Foucault, and Maurice Sendak. A Doodle has been made for the first day of summer, National Library Week, and the 100th anniversary of the crossword puzzle. There’s even been one for Star Trek.

Every year, Google hold a contest for kids in grade K-12. All you have to do is print out the application form, doodle your version of the Google logo based off this year’s theme and submit it online or by mail. State prizes are $5000. National prizes are $50,000. More details are here: https://www.google.com/doodle4google/faq.html

This year’s theme is “If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place…”

Here’s the site: https://www.google.com/doodle4google/ The deadline for your submission is March 20th, 2014. So go on, download the form and give it your best! What will your Doodle look like?

To get you inspired, here’s last year’s Doodle. It was done by Sabina Brady, 17. Good luck!!!

Do you have that creative itch? The need to visually document what you see around you? To create what you see only in your mind? We do, too. YouTube and Vine showcase talent every day. You KNOW you have it in you, but how do you edit what you record into something for the world to see?

Below are several apps that will let you take the raw video that you have on your device and create masterpieces! Well, something that is watchable, right? Check out the apps below for both iOS (iPads, iPod Touches and iPhones) and Android (phones and tablets) and see if one of them can make you the next Hitchcock. Or Smosh. Or whatever.

iMotion HD (iOS: Free, Upgrade Available)
This app lets you create time-lapse or stop-motion photography. You combine still photos into a movie. Think growing plants or use toys or action figures. Think the Lego Movie! With the full version of the app, users can add music and get access to extra export features like uploading their movie straight to YouTube.

PicPlayPost(iOS: $1.99)
This lets users combine videos and still images. The videos will play either at the same time or in turns. And the still images will be placeholders in the frame. It’s an alternative to a traditional slideshow. Music can be added, too.

Magisto Video Editor & Maker (Android: Free)
Shoot video from inside Magisto, then edit and create a movie, all in one package. Add some music and you’re good to go. To save the movies, you will need to set up an account.

iMovie (iOS: $4.99)
You can edit video that you have already taken with your iPhone or iPad. You can use the built-in themes and templates to add titles, transitions and music. Features include slow motion and panning over still photos.

Andromedia Video Editor (Android: Free)
This app lets you edit video that you have already recorded on your device. You can organize clips, crop video and apply the “Ken Burns” filming technique to still images and videos. You can record audio and even record a narration using the microphone on the device. This app also has several sharing features, too.

Teens, March is your month at the Library. We’re celebrating Teen Tech Week all month with events at your branch. What will you do?

MuVChat: Ever watched a movie and wanted to comment on it LIVE with your friends? Kind of like Imgur, Tumblr and YouTube all rolled up in one? Then you have got to try out MuVChat . Visit your local branch and watch a movie with friends and strangers. When you want to comment on what you see on the screen, just send a text to a number that we’ll hand out. Then it appears on the screen!

Your Gourmet Girlfriends: Want to make something wicked tasty for a movie night with your friends? Check out this cooking workshop hosted by Your Gourmet Girlfriends. Will it be a snack mix that is a salty-sweet combination of everything you might find on the floor of a movie theater? Something even better? Come on in and learn some great recipes for your next movie night!

Gamer Jewelry: Show your inner gamer pride by creating bracelets and earrings made from d20 die and other gamer pieces during this workshop presented by And Sewing Is Half the Battle. Get ready for Gencon!